FARMINGTON — Police discovered and seized several animals, including horses, goats and dogs, at a home on Chestnut Hill Road suffering from severe malnutrition and neglect after issuing a search warrant at the Farmington property.

Police Chief Kevin Willey said he anticipates charges of animal cruelty will be brought against the owner or owners responsible for the care of those animals.

On Sunday, the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) assisted the Farmington Police Department in investigating the premises at 576 Chestnut Hill Road.

There, officials found a stable, or shelter, housing several underfed animals – five horses, one mini-horse, one pony, two goats, two dogs and two chickens. The animals were transported to an undisclosed location for care by the NHSPCA in Stratham. Police report a licensed veterinarian is in the process of giving the animals a complete medical examination.

According to a press release, the horses, identified as three mares, one gelding and one stallion are visibly emaciated, with hipbones, ribs and spine protruding under their dull coats.

One of the mares appears to be lame on at least two legs. The pony, mini, goats and chickens additionally show signs of malnutrition. Those animals were found sharing tiny pens with little or no room to move or lie down.

Farm Animal Coordinator of the New Hampshire SPCA Suzanne Bryant told police “The mares are in the worst condition,” according to a department press release.

Willey described the situation as tragic.

“I think it's a case that certainly, just by looking at the animals, it immediately creates an emotional reaction and that's one of the things that makes it really tragic,” he said. “(Animals) don't have the ability to care for themselves. They rely on their owners and custodians for that and in this case, it was a failure on the part of these people to do what they needed to do to properly care for them.”

Willey added while an investigation is ongoing, he believes the animals were harmed unintentionally and their conditions are rather due to extreme neglect.

“It's a possibility that the people who had the horses didn't have the resources or the capabilities to care for them as they should have,” he said. “…We've had animal cruelty cases in the past including cases involving horses. This is one of the larger animal cruelty cases we've ever investigated or been involved in. That was one of the reasons we sought out the assistance of the SPCA early on in the investigation.”

Willey noted the matter was initially brought the attention of the police by a former owner of one of the horses.